About Kazuyuki Ishihara

Profile: Kazuyuki Ishihara

Garden designer Kazuyuki Ishihara’s career history

Kazuyuki Ishihara joined the “Ikenobo” group (known as one of the purest forms of Japanese Ikebana) at the age of 22. From thereon out he became captivated by flowers and natural greenery, and went on to start selling flowers on the street, and later at his own store, before moving onto garden building.

Later, the unique atmosphere and world-view of a garden that he created using mosses and lichens went on to be highly acclaimed at the pinnacle of international gardening shows, the British Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show; and from 2006 onwards he was awarded medals in another category, becoming the first person in history to be awarded gold medals for three years running. He continued to win medals at the show, being awarded silver medals in the Show Garden category in 2010 and 2011.

In 2012, just before the hosting of the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games, Ishihara was awarded a gold medal in the Artisan Garden category, for Best Artisan Garden, and simultaneously achieved the double accolade of winning the Best Garden award (awarded to the top ranking garden in each category.) He is continually active in the advancement of garden and wall-surface “greening” projects nationwide, such as by appealing to people about the beauty of Japanese-style scenery, and contributing to environmental conservation.

Awards history

2015

Exhibited his work “Edo no Niwa” (literally, “Edo/Old Tokyo Garden”) at the 2015 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Was awarded a Gold Medal and also won Best Artisan Garden for the fourth year running.

2014

Exhibited his work “Togenkyo” (loosely, “Peach Blossom Utopia”) at the 2014 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Was awarded a Gold Medal and also won Best Artisan Garden for the third year running.

2013

Exhibited his work “Toko no Ma Garden” (literally, “Alcove Garden”) at the 2013 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Was awarded a Gold Medal and also won Best Artisan Garden for the second year running.

2012

Exhibited his work “Satoyama no Kurashi” (literally, “Life in the Village Forest”) at the 2012 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Was awarded a Gold Medal and also achieved the double accolade of winning Best Artisan Garden.

2011

Exhibited his work “Hana no Rakuen: Midori no shi wo kikasetai” (literally, “Flower Paradise: I want to let you hear the poetry of greenery”) at the 2011 RHS Chelsea Flower Show and was awarded a Silver Medal. Also won 3rd place in the Show Garden category.

2010

Exhibited his work “Kazahana” (literally, “Wind Flowers”) at the 2010 RHS Chelsea Flower Show and was awarded a Silver Medal.
Also won 3rd place in the Show Garden category.

2008

Exhibited his work “Midori-no-Tobira” (literally, “Green Door”) at the 2008 RHS Chelsea Flower Show and was awarded his third consecutive Gold Medal. Also won 1st place in the Urban Garden category.

Exhibited his work “Ryokufutei” (literally, “Green Wind Garden”) at the 2008 Singapore Garden Festival and was awarded a Gold Medal in the Landscape Garden category. Also achieved the double accolade of winning Best of show award.

2007

Exhibited his work “Untei” (literally “Cloud Garden”) at the 2007 RHS Chelsea Flower Show and was awarded his second consecutive Gold Medal. Also won 1st place in the City Garden category.

2006

Exhibited his work “Seiran” (literally “Blue Storm”) at the 2006 RHS Chelsea Flower Show and was awarded a Gold Medal. Also won 1st place in the Chic Garden category and the Best Chic Garden award.

2005

Awarded a special award by Nagasaki City.

2004

Exhibited his work “Gen” (literally “Source”) at the 2004 RHS Chelsea Flower Show and was awarded a Silver Gilt Medal. Also won 2nd place in the Chic Garden category.

What is the Chelsea Flower Show?

The Chelsea Flower Show is a traditional event hosted by the Royal Horticultural Society and held every May in Chelsea, London. It has continued to be held every year since 1913, and is the oldest and most authoritative garden and flower show in the world. The show is held in the vast, expansive grounds of the Royal Chelsea Hospital, with over 600 exhibitors displaying gardens, etc., of various different genres. over 200,000 people visit the show during the exhibition period, and entry restrictions are imposed every year.